Ten business owners in their 20s were among the 50 Bicolanos who graduated last week from the 2022 Kapatid Mentor ME-Money Market Encounter (KMME-MME) Online Batch 2 (Youth Sector) mentoring program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE).
Last Nov. 25, 2022, the participants – four from Virac and one each from Viga, Caramoran, San Andres, Bato, Baras and Bagamanoc – attended the online graduation for the Bicol region mentees at the ARDCI Corporate Inn II function hall, with two of them snagging the top two regional special awards for best business improvement plans.
They are Gary P. Clavo of Puting Baybay, San Andres (CF’s FooDelicious Processed Food Manufacturing); Mark Joshua Sarmiento of Francia, Virac (OTWE’s Empanada Food Corner); Franklin S. Oclarino of Virac (Bestea X- Efren Fries Milktea Shop); Monique C. Rabino of Tilis, Bato (Island Crafts Souvenir and Gift Shop); Jessamae France B. Monjardin of Lanao, Virac (Virac Marketplace); Jonalyn Toledo of Calatagan, Virac (VT View Tique); Dessa Dominique T. Vargas of Paniquihan, Baras (Niks Waves Clothing Boutique); Amelito T. Pantaleon of Tinago, Viga (Lito’s Bakeshop); Jay M. Condeno of Dariao, Caramoran (Daday Art Kuak Arts and Crafts Manufacturing); and Sherwin Bonifacio of Virac (Catanduanes Pasalubong Shop).
The mentees and their plans were evaluated on market opportunity, competitive advantage, management capability and financial understanding, with the presentation graded on organization, clarity, completeness, efficient use of time, response to questions and comments from the mentors, and audience engagement.
Monjardin scored a total of 47 points in topping the graduates in a tie with Ruth Arielle Pedir of Albay while Rabino took second place with 46.67 points, just ahead of third placer Maria Evaness Araojo, also of Albay.
A microbiologist who left her Metro Manila job on “lakas ng loob” to set up her business in Virac, Monjardin said there was too much to learn from KMME-MME program in a limited time, not only on how to generate sales but to use the organization and personnel to achieve targets.
On the other hand, Rabino, a licensed architect, said the program made her realize that to be an entrepreneur means one has to be passionate and be a risk taker, with a vision for her company.
Keynote speaker and PCE Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion advised the graduates to always think positive despite the challenges, learn from others, learn from their own mistakes and then move forward.
DTI Undersecretary for Regional Operations Group Blesila Lantayona also urged them to continue engaging their mentors post-KMME even as she assured the support of the department and PCE.